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2nd May 2017

Mandatory licensing of labour hire companies will be introduced in Queensland in a bid to crack-down on rogue operators who are exploiting and mistreating vulnerable workers.

Announcing the scheme at a Labour Day rally in Brisbane, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said mandatory licensing had become the only option with Malcolm Turnbull repeatedly turning a blind eye to labour hire rorts.

“Barely a week goes by without yet another story of blatant worker exploitation, enabled by rogue labour hire providers,” Ms Grace said.

“We consulted widely with key industry stakeholders on the challenges facing the industry and the vast majority support mandatory licensing.

“They’re sick and tired of seeing workers outrageously exploited, and fed up with being undercut by shonky operators who flout the rules with impunity.

“Our mandatory licensing scheme is aimed squarely at protecting workers and restoring a level playing field so that ethical operators can compete fairly, without imposing any unnecessary administrative burdens.

“Our proposed new laws will be backed by stiff penalties and some offenders will be liable for criminal prosecution.

“A compliance unit will also be established to check licence holders for continued compliance with their licence conditions, and to investigate complaints.”

Legislation to give effect to mandatory labour hire licensing will be introduced in May, with the scheme expected to be up and running in 2018.